Protective module for an object against specifically hollow charge missiles

ABSTRACT

A protective module ( 1 ) for the protection of an object, in particular against hollow charge projectiles, includes several sequentially or super-posed attached plates (P 1  to P n ) for the formation of several capacitances (C 1  to C n ), with preference given to dielectric ceramics ( 3 ) tied in between plates (P 1  to P n ), whereby the protective module ( 1 ) can be formed by several protective part modules ( 10 ). Thus, the protective part modules ( 10 ) are arranged adjacent to each other so as to form the protective module ( 1 ).

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 102009 038 630.0, filed Aug. 26, 2009, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns the design of electrical armor for a stationaryor movable object as protection specifically against hollow chargemissiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hollow charges present a threat even for (wheeled) vehicles. A hollowcharge is a specific arrangement of violent explosive (frequently onnitropenta, or hexogen/octogen-basis) around a cone-shaped orsemi-spherical metal insert, and is particularly suitable forpenetration of armor-plating. It is employed accordingly asreinforcement-breaking ammunition. The cone-shaped metal insert issurrounded by an explosive with an opening facing in the forwarddirection. If the charge is ignited, a spike is formed of cold-workedmetal, starting from the tip of the metal core, which penetrates thetarget at very high velocity, followed by a slower ram or tappet, whichforms the principal mass.

Simple known hollow charge protection devices are so-called SLATs, whichare attached to the vehicles. A preferably detachable SLAT protectivedesign is disclosed in DE 10 2007 036 393 A1. A protective screen of thesame kind is also described in DE 10 2007 002 577A1. Another protectivedevice is published in DE 103 10 952 A1.

Additional solutions are, for example, active reaction reinforcements,which are hurdled against different projectiles, such as is known, forexample, from DE 10 2005 056 178 A1. The line-up of a multitude ofreactive protective elements in water vehicles is the subject of DE 102007 022 767 A1. DE 10 2007 060 611 A1 deals with a fluid armor-platearrangement.

A protective module is covered in DE 10 2005 021 348 B3 for theprotection of objects with electricity against threats, specifically dueto hollow charges. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0199701 A1 corresponds to DE 10 2005 021 348 B3, and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2009/0199701 A1 is incorporated herein inits entirety for all that it discloses.

In the meantime, other so-called electrical armor plates are alsoemployed as a protective system. Due to this type of electricalreinforcement, the range of effectiveness of a hollow charge beam canclearly be reduced. This kind of concept consists of an arrangement ofplates, an access line, and a loading device (See, e.g., FIG. 1). If thehollow charge beam H reaches the reinforcement, it shorts out thecondenser by contacting the upper and lower (anterior/posterior) plate.The condenser discharges the electric circuit, as a result of which, dueto the high electricity, a strong magnetic field is formed around thehollow line beam (i.e., the beam of the hollow line, which is the widthof the hollow line), which in turn has an effect on the chargedparticles of the hollow charge beam in the form of strong forces. Thisresults in the enlargement of the diameter of the hollow charge beam,which consequently reduces the penetration performance of the hollowcharge beam itself. Depending upon the type of design, the principle canbe modified, for example, by means of a series connection of severalplates, or by providing dielectric fluids between the plates, or byalternating dielectric fluids and ceramics between the plates.

It is important for the principle effectiveness of the electrical armorthat the short-circuit between the two plates is created as quickly aspossible with high electricity (i.e., a high voltage that leads tohigher current and a faster short-circuit). The process is often sloweddown based on the inductivity of the rise in electricity or current inthe access line, so that the rise in electricity (current) may thenrequire up to several 10 is to achieve. Another deficit is that theshort-circuit will not start to flow until the two plates are connectedvia the hollow charge beam (i.e., the width of the hollow charge). Thismay lead to a situation where the anterior front of the hollow chargebeam is not influenced by the short-circuit because the initial speed ofthe electricity (current flow) is not quick enough and the hollow chargemissile continues to penetrate its target object.

It is the object of the invention to produce an earlier reaction on thehollow charge beam (i.e., an earlier reaction on the width of the hollowcharge) by shorter/lower current velocity increases, thereby producing amore effective short-circuit).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above object is solved by the characteristics of a first embodimentof the invention, which pertains to a protective module (1) for theprotection of objects, in particular against hollow charge missiles,wherein the protective module (1) comprises several sequentiallyarranged and/or super-posed plates (P₁ to P_(n)) for the formation ofdistributed and/or of several capacities (C₁ to C_(n). Other beneficialembodiments of the present invention are mentioned briefly as follows.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, thefirst embodiment is modified so that dielectric ceramics (3) are tied inbetween the plates (P₁ to P_(n)). In accordance with a third embodimentof the present invention, the first embodiment or the second embodimentare further modified so that the protective module (1) is sub-dividedinto several protective part modules (10). In accordance with a fourthembodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment is furthermodified so that that the protective part modules (10) may be designedsymmetrically as well as asymmetrically. In accordance with a fifthembodiment of the present invention, the third embodiment or the fourthembodiment is further modified so that the number of plates (P₁ to P_(n)may vary per protective part module (10).

In accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention, thethird embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment arefurther modified so that the protective part modules (10) can beconnected in such a fashion with each other that with detected attack,the condensers (C_(1-n)) in the firing range can be provided withadditional tension (U) in order to thus increase the current amplitude.In accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention, theeighth embodiment is further modified so that permissible tension isprovided by a central condenser. In accordance with an eighth embodimentof the present invention, the first embodiment, the second embodiment,the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, thesixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment are further modified so thatfor distribution of capacity, one condenser (C₁) is arranged in theprotective module (1) and the other condenser (C₂) is arrangedcentrally. In accordance with a ninth embodiment of the presentinvention, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifthembodiment, the sixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment, are furthermodified so that for distribution of capacity, one condenser (C_(1-n))is respectively provided in the protective modules (10) and a centralcondenser.

The invention is based on the idea of dividing the capacity of anotherwise utilized central condenser over a multitude of platecondensers so that the capacity of the condenser is realized via amultitude of plate condensers, which are formed between the sequentiallyarranged protective plates. Each individual condenser is charged with atension U_(o) (i.e., each individual condenser is charged to a voltageU₀). If the hollow charge beam now influences the protective plate(i.e., if the width of the hollow charge affects the protective plate),a quick electric rise is possible because of the short “access line”when the beam electrically connects the plates of the first condenserwith each other and, thus, only the first condenser is short-circuited,as a result of which the hollow charge beam represents almost the onlyinductivity of the shorted circuit. A reaction can, thus, quickly takeplace in the front of the beam due to short circuit of the affectedfirst condenser. Due to each further penetration of the protectiveelement or protective module, successive additional condensers areshorted. The loading instrument preferably is located within thevehicles, or the object that is to be protected. The protective module,which is formed of many protective plates, is charged by means of aco-axial high voltage (HV) cable. Voltage division can take place in theloading device as well as in the protective module.

In refining the inventive concept, it has shown itself as beneficial forincreasing the capacity if dielectric ceramics are tied-in between theindividual plates of the condensers.

The electricity increase and the amplitude are now determined only bythe parameters of the hollow charging beam, the first capacity orcapacitance C and the loading tension U_(o). Because both theinductivity as well as the capacitance of the shorted circuit are lowerthan it is in the case with traditional applications, this small circuitpresents a clearly lower increase in velocity (i.e., the affect of theshort-circuit influences the hollow charge missile more quickly). Theplate distance can also be selected smaller than traditional platesbecause several are arranged in sequence. This also contributes to anearlier influence on the tip of the hollow charge beam. Another notinsignificant benefit is provided in that the central condenser iseliminated and no longer requires its own place in the vehicle.

The protective module may be constructed from several protective modulecomponents. This has the benefit that the less important areas that needto be protected can present fewer plates, so that the entire protectivemodule becomes lighter in weight. Another benefit that can be achievedwith part-modules is the ability of exchanging defective part-modules.

In another conceivable variation of the invention, the protectivepartial modules can be connected with each other in such a fashion that,with a detected attack, the condenser in the firing region can besupplied with additional voltage in order to, thus, increase the rise invelocity. The issue may remain unanswered as to whether the capacities(i.e., capacitances of the condensers) release their tension (i.e.,stored voltage energy) outside the detected impact point of the hollowcharge projectile or whether a central source assumes the task.

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of an exemplaryembodiment and with drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a basic electrical design of an electrical armoraccording to the state of the art.

FIG. 2 depicts the basic electrical design of a protective moduleaccording to the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts, in frontal view, a variation of the design of theprotective module in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the basic design of an electrical protective module 1,according to the state of the art, which consists of severalsequentially arranged plates P₁, P₂ until P_(n), for the formation ofseveral capacitances C₁ until C_(n). Electrical ceramics 3 arepreferably inserted between the plates P_(1-n).

Each of the capacities or capacitances C1 until C_(n) is loaded up to aloading tension U_(o).

If the hollow charge beam or width H hits the first plate P₁, it shortsthe first condenser C₁ (i.e., P₁ and P₂). With each further penetrationof the capacities or capacitances C_(2-n) by the hollow charge beam H,the plates are successively shorted, the hollow charge beam H isweakened, and the principal mass is rendered ineffective.

FIG. 2 depicts the division of the protective module 1, presented hereas a sketched object 20, in different or sub-divided protective areas 10or protective part modules. Object 20 may be a stationary object, or itmay be a moveable object such as a vehicle. The opportunity exists ofdesigning the same symmetrically, which permits simple exchangeabilityin case of defect or, however, to also allow asymmetry in the design.The part modules 10′ may be constructed in their design in the mostimportant areas to be protected, thicker at an object 20 than in otherareas.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective partmodules 10 can be connected in such a fashion with each other that, withdetected attack, the condensers C_(1-n) in the firing range 11 can beprovided with additional tension U (i.e., more voltage) in order to thusincrease the current amplitude at these condensers between the plates.

Also conceivable is another distribution of the capacitance toC_(1(−n)), is wherein the protective module 1 is, or the protectivemodules 10 are (respectively), tied in and with a central condenser. Theindividual condenser, or individual condensers C _(1(−n)), in thisarrangement determines, or determine, the current increase in velocityat the start and is/are thereafter supplied by the central condenserwith the main current. It goes without saying that combinations arepossible of this variation, and also of the previously describedvariation of the present invention.

1. A protective module for the protection of objects, against hollowcharge missiles, the protective module comprising: a plurality ofsequentially arranged, or superposed, or sequentially arranged andsuperposed plates that form a distributed first capacitance, or thatform several second capacitances, or that form the distributed firstcapacitance and several second capacitances on an object.
 2. Aprotective module according to claim 1, wherein dielectric ceramics aredisposed in between individual plates of the plurality of plates.
 3. Aprotective module according to claim 1, wherein the protective module issub-divided into a plurality of protective part modules.
 4. A protectivemodule according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of protective partmodules include first plates that are designed symmetrically with oneanother and second plates that are designed asymmetrically with oneanother.
 5. A protective module according to claim 3 4, wherein eachprotective part module comprises a number of plates that varies perprotective part module.
 6. A protective module according to claim 3,wherein the protective part modules are connected with each other sothat with a detected attack, condensers in a firing range are providedwith additional tension in order to increase current amplitude betweenadjacent plates.
 7. A protective module according to claim 6, whereinthe additional tension is provided by a central condenser of the object.8. A protective module according to claim 1, wherein for a distributionof capacitance, a first condenser is arranged in the protective moduleand a second condenser is arranged centrally within the object.
 9. Aprotective module according to claim 3, wherein for distribution ofcapacitance, a first condenser is respectively provided in the pluralityof protective modules and a central condenser of the object is operablyconnected with the first condenser.
 10. A protective module according toclaim 2, wherein the protective module is sub-divided into a pluralityof protective part modules.
 11. A protective module according to claim10, wherein the plurality of protective part modules include firstplates that are designed symmetrically with one another and secondplates that are designed asymmetrically with one another.
 12. Aprotective module according to claim 8, wherein the additional tensionis provided by a central condenser.
 13. A stationary or moveable objectprovided with electrical armor that is disposed to protect the objectagainst a hollow charge missile, wherein the electrical armor comprisesa protective module, wherein the protective module comprises: aplurality of sequentially arranged, or superposed, or sequentiallyarranged and superposed, plates that form a distributed firstcapacitance, or that form several second capacitances, or that form thedistributed first capacitance and several second capacitances on theobject.
 14. A stationary or moveable object according to claim 13,wherein the object is a vehicle.